MUHAMMAD MUKARAM
SRINAGAR: Under ‘Operation All Out’, at least 128 terrorists have been killed so far this year across the Kashmir Valley, which is highest in the past eight years. Of these 40 terrorists have been killed in past three months, which include top four self-styled terrorist commanders.
“After the security forces had shortlisted 258 active terrorists in the Valley, 128 were eliminated since January 1, 2017, affiliated with different terrorist organisations,” said Muneer Khan, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir.
On May 27, Sabzar Bhat alias Soob Don, categorised as an A++ terrorist in Kashmir and the successor of Burhan Wani was gunned down with his associate during hours-long encounter in his home town Tral in south Kashmir.
The security forces including Army, J&K Police and CRPF are swiftly uprooting the terror networks from the Valley. After killing Hizbul Commander Sabzar Bhat, the Army released a list of 12 top terrorists who are on the radar, which include most wanted divisional Commanders also.
On June 16, top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) Commander, Junaid Matto, alias Kandroo (LeT District Commander) from Khudwani Kulgam, recruited on June 3, 2015, listed under ‘category A’ and carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head was killed with another terrorist in south Kashmir’s Kulgam District.
Bashir Lashkari alias Ukasha, (LeT District Commander), Anantnag, Wani hailing from Sopshali Kokernag, was recruited on October 2, in 2015. He has been listed under category A++. On July 1, Lashkari, the dreaded terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces at Anantnag. The killing of Lashkari, was also a major achievement for the security forces. He was the man who led the attack on June 16 at Anantnag in which 6 policemen were killed. The security forces killed him barely 16 days after he led the attack on the policemen including the SHO Feroze Dar at Kokernag.
Abu Dujana, alias Hafiz (LeT Divisional Commander, South Kashmir) based out of Pakistan and active since December 14. He is listed under the A++ category. However, on August 2, the top most Lashkar Commander, Abu Dujana’s luck did not favoured him, who had successfully escaped from security forces on several occasions. Dujana was killed in Hakidpora area of Pulwama District during a joint counter-terror operation carried out by the Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF and the Army.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed by the last phone call recording from Abu Dujana and Arif Lelhari that both were affiliated with Zakir Musa’s group and not with LeT.
Meanwhile, Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General, Devraj Anbu had recently said that elimination of top commanders is on the agenda of the forces, for heralding peace in the Valley.